Dinner Without a Contact

Chapter 22: Dinner Without a Contract

The restaurant overlooked the city skyline, its glass walls glowing softly under golden lights. It was elegant but intimate—nothing like the loud, extravagant places Ethan usually entertained business partners.

Aaliyah noticed that immediately.

“This place is beautiful,” she said as the waiter pulled out her chair.

“I thought you’d like it,” Ethan replied, waiting until she was seated before sitting across from her.

That simple gesture made her heart stumble.

For a moment, they just looked at each other, the space between them unfamiliar without the weight of paperwork, staff, or expectations.

“No contracts tonight,” Ethan said quietly. “Just… dinner.”

Aaliyah nodded. “Just dinner.”

But both of them knew it was more than that.

As wine was poured and menus set aside, the tension slowly softened. Ethan asked her about her childhood, her dreams before the marriage, the things she loved but rarely spoke about. And for the first time, he didn’t interrupt. He didn’t check his phone.

He listened.

“I always wanted a quiet life,” Aaliyah admitted. “Something steady. Safe.”

He frowned slightly. “And marrying me gave you the opposite.”

She smiled faintly. “At first, yes. But it also forced me to find my voice.”

His gaze softened. “You shouldn’t have had to fight so hard to be seen.”

“I know,” she said gently. “But I’m here now.”

Their food arrived, but neither of them focused much on it.

“Why tonight?” she asked suddenly.

Ethan paused. “Because I saw how close I came to losing you. And because I don’t want my first real moment with you to happen in a mansion filled with rules.”

Her breath caught. “Real moment?”

“Yes,” he said. “This. Us.”

She searched his face. “You’re not good at vulnerability.”

He smiled wryly. “That’s an understatement.”

They shared a quiet laugh—soft, genuine.

For the first time, Aaliyah felt like they were learning each other, not negotiating terms.

Then Ethan reached across the table, his fingers brushing hers.

“I don’t know what this becomes,” he said. “But I know I don’t want to go backward.”

She squeezed his hand gently. “Neither do I.”

The moment felt fragile… precious.

Until a shadow fell across their table.

“Well,” a familiar voice said lightly. “This is unexpected.”

Aaliyah’s heart dropped.

Amara.

She stood there in a sleek red dress, her smile polite but sharp, eyes lingering on Ethan’s hand over Aaliyah’s.

Ethan immediately withdrew his hand, irritation flashing across his face. “Amara. This isn’t appropriate.”

“Oh, relax,” she said, placing a hand on the chair beside him without asking. “I was invited here for a late meeting nearby. Imagine my surprise.”

Aaliyah straightened, refusing to shrink. “We’re having dinner.”

Amara’s gaze flicked to her. “I can see that.”

Ethan stood. “We’re leaving.”

Amara’s smile faltered. “Ethan—”

“No,” he said firmly. “You crossed a line.”

The entire restaurant seemed to fade as Aaliyah stared at him.

He chose her.

Publicly.

Amara’s expression hardened. “So this is how it is now?”

“Yes,” Ethan replied. “It is.”

Silence stretched. Then Amara laughed softly. “Just be careful,” she said to Aaliyah. “Men like Ethan don’t change easily.”

Aaliyah met her gaze steadily. “Neither do women who finally know their worth.”

Amara’s eyes flashed—but she said nothing more, turning sharply and walking away.

When Ethan sat back down, his hands trembled slightly.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “She had no right.”

Aaliyah reached for his hand this time. “Thank you… for standing up for me.”

He looked at her like she was something rare. “I should’ve done it sooner.”

Dinner resumed, quieter but deeper.

Later, as they stood outside beneath the night sky, Ethan hesitated before speaking.

“There’s something you should know,” he said.

Her heart skipped. “What is it?”

“The contract,” he said slowly. “There’s a clause you’ve never seen.”

Her chest tightened. “What kind of clause?”

“One that changes everything if either of us breaks the terms early.”

The night air suddenly felt colder.

“What does it say?” she whispered.

Ethan held her gaze. “That walking away might cost more than we’re ready to lose.”